Portable cleaning device for golf equipment and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A portable cleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded and carried in a golfer&#39;s pocket without interfering with the golfer&#39;s swing or leaking any cleaning liquid. The cleaning device is capable of cleaning not only golf balls but other golf equipment, such as golf clubs, as well. The cleaning device also has a golf ball marker removably coupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark the place of the golf ball before picking it up to clean it. The cleaning device is also capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to a corresponding provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 60/761,644, filed Jan. 24, 2006 in the name ofthe applicant of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to cleaning devices, and morespecifically, to a portable cleaning device for golf equipment andmethod therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As most golfers are aware, golf balls and golf clubs often become soiledduring a game. Dirt, mud, grass, sand, and other debris may stick to thegolf balls and/or golf clubs, thereby affecting the direction of thegolf ball's flight. Many golf courses offer cleaning stations, however,these cleaning stations are located near the tee boxes. Therefore, agolfer must walk off of the green or the fairway back toward the tee boxto clean his/her equipment and doing so causes game delay.

Several portable golf ball cleaners exist today; however, most of thoseare constructed of solid materials, thereby making them somewhatcumbersome for the golfer to carry. The golfer must either clip or hangthese golf ball cleaners onto his/her golf bag (which would stillrequire the golfer to walk off the green or the fairway) or onto his/herbelt. Having such a cumbersome object attached to the golfer's belt,however, would obstruct his/her swing. Although it is possible to carrysome of those golf ball cleaners in one's pocket, it is disadvantageousto do so because having such large objects in one's pocket would alsoobstruct the golfer's swing. Carrying some of those golf ball cleaner'sin one's pocket may also cause the cleaning liquid to leak onto thegolfer's clothes. Furthermore, those golf ball cleaners are designedonly to clean golf balls, and are insufficient to clean other golfequipment such as golf clubs. Still further, none of those golf ballcleaners are capable of being safely washed in a washing machine.

For more versatile cleaning capabilities, some golfers may wet a toweland carry it with them onto the fairway and onto the green to cleantheir equipment. The golfer cannot carry the wet towel in his/her pockethowever, without his/her clothes becoming wet. Also, most towels wouldbe too large to fold up and carry in the golfer's pocket withouthindering the golfer's swing. And simply carrying the towel and placingit on the grass during play causes the towel itself to become dirty.Furthermore, constantly having to bend down to pick up the towel mayalso prove to be inconvenient to the golfer.

Therefore a need existed for a portable cleaning device for golfequipment that may be folded up and carried in a golfer's pocket withoutinterfering with the golfer's swing or leaking any cleaning liquid ontothe golfer's clothing. The cleaning device should be capable of cleaningnot only golf balls but other golf equipment, such as golf clubs, aswell. The cleaning device would preferably have a golf ball markerremovably coupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark theplace of the golf ball before picking it up to clean it. The cleaningdevice should also be capable of being safely washed in a washingmachine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable cleaningdevice for golf equipment that may be folded up and carried in agolfer's pocket without interfering with the golfer's swing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablecleaning device for golf equipment that may be folded up and carried ina golfer's pocket without leaking any cleaning liquid onto the golfer'sclothing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portablecleaning device for golf equipment that cleans golf balls as well asother golf equipment such as golf clubs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portablecleaning device for golf equipment having a golf ball marker removablycoupled thereto so that the golfer may conveniently mark the place ofthe golf ball before picking it up to clean it.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide aportable cleaning device for golf equipment that is capable of beingsafely washed in a washing machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a portablecleaning device is disclosed. The portable cleaning device comprises asubstantially flat liquid resistant layer, a substantially flat liquidabsorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of theliquid resistant layer, and at least one coupling mechanism to removablycouple a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of thecleaning device to form a cylindrical tube with the liquid absorbentlayer facing interiorly.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, aportable cleaning device for golf equipment is disclosed. The portablecleaning device for golf equipment comprises a substantially flat liquidresistant layer that is substantially flexible to allow the cleaningdevice to be folded for storage and/or transport, a substantially flatliquid absorbent layer that is coupled to a center portion of a bottomsurface of the liquid resistant layer and that is substantially flexibleto allow the cleaning device to be folded for storage and/or transport,one of a male coupling mechanism and a female coupling mechanism that iscoupled to the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and iscoupled along a first end of the cleaning device, the other of the malecoupling mechanism and the female coupling mechanism that is coupled toa top surface of the liquid resistant layer and that is coupled along asecond end of the cleaning device. The cleaning device forms acylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly whenthe male coupling mechanism is coupled to the female coupling mechanismand the cylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball. Theportable cleaning device for golf equipment also comprises a golf ballmarker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device and an aperturethat is defined by the cleaning device and is dimensioned to receive acoupling device therethrough for storage and/or transport.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodof cleaning golf equipment is disclosed. The method comprises the stepsof providing a portable cleaning device comprising a substantially flatliquid resistant layer, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layercoupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquidresistant layer, and at least one coupling mechanism that removablycouples a first side of the cleaning device to a second side of thecleaning device to form a cylindrical tube. The method further comprisesthe steps of soaking the liquid absorbent layer with cleaning liquid,coupling the first side of the cleaning device with the second side ofthe cleaning device to form the cylindrical tube with the liquidabsorbent layer facing interiorly, inserting the golf ball into either afirst end or a second end of the cylindrical tube, squeezing thecylindrical tube at alternating points surrounding the golf ball so thatthe golf ball travels back and forth along a length of the liquidabsorbent layer, and ejecting the golf ball from one of the first endand the second end of the cylindrical tube.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following, more particular,description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable cleaning device for golfequipment of the present invention. The cleaning device is shown asbeing formed into a cylindrical tube.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a golfer squeezing the cylindrical tubeof FIG. 1 at alternating points surrounding a golf ball so that the golfball travels back and forth.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a golf ball being inserted into thecylindrical tube of FIG. 1 for cleaning.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning device of the presentinvention having been folded. The folded cleaning device is shown asbeing placed into a pocket of the golfer.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cleaning device of the present invention.The cleaning device is shown laid flat with a golf ball marker removablycoupled thereto.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the cleaning device of FIG. 5. The cleaningdevice is shown cleaning a golf club head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood byreference to the following detailed description of illustratedembodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a portable cleaning device for golf equipment,referred to generically as cleaning device 10, is disclosed. Thecleaning device 10 preferably comprises a substantially flat liquidresistant layer 16, a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer 24, andat least one coupling mechanism 26.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the cleaning device 10 forms a cylindrical tube30 when a first side 12 and a second side 14 of the cleaning device 10are joined by the coupling mechanism 26. Preferably, the cylindricaltube 30 is dimensioned to receive a golf ball 40 (shown in FIG. 3)through either a first end 32 or a second end 34 of the cylindrical tube30. Further preferably, the liquid absorbent layer 24 (see FIG. 6) has alength and a width sufficient to envelop the golf ball 40 when thecleaning device 10 is formed into the cylindrical tube 30.

The liquid resistant layer 16 is preferably made of GORE-TEX®, but itshould be clearly understood that some alternative material may be usedso long as the material is substantially resistant to liquid and may besafely washed in a washing machine. The liquid absorbent layer 24 ispreferably made of terry cloth, but it should be clearly understood thatsome alternative material may be used so long as the material issubstantially absorbent to liquid and may be safely washed in a washingmachine. The liquid that would be used by a golfer 28 (shown in FIG. 3)would preferably be some type of cleaning liquid sufficient to clean thegolfer's 28 equipment such as, but not limited to, soap and water.

Referring to FIG. 4, the liquid resistant layer 16 and the liquidabsorbent layer 24 are preferably substantially flexible so that thecleaning device 10 may not only be formed into a cylindrical tube 30(see FIGS. 1-3), but it may also be folded for either storage ortransport. Preferably, the cleaning device 10 may be folded and placedin a pocket 44 of the golfer 28 when the cleaning device 10 is not inuse. In order to prevent any leakage of cleaning liquid onto theclothing of the golfer 28, the cleaning device 10 should be folded sothat the liquid resistant layer 16 is exposed and the liquid absorbentlayer 24 is concealed.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the coupling mechanism 26 comprises a malecoupling mechanism 26 a (referred to generically as coupling mechanism26) coupled to a top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16 alongthe second side 14 of the cleaning device 10 and a female couplingmechanism 26 b (referred to generically as coupling mechanism 26)coupled to a bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 alongthe first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. It should be clearlyunderstood, however, that substantial benefit may derived from the malecoupling mechanism 26 a being coupled to the bottom surface 20 of theliquid resistant layer 16 and the female coupling mechanism 26 b beingcoupled to the top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16. Itshould also be clearly understood that substantial benefit may bederived from the male coupling mechanism 26 a being coupled to the firstside 12 of the cleaning device 10 and the female coupling mechanism 26 bbeing coupled to the second side 14 of the cleaning device 10. And whileit is shown that a single female coupling mechanism 26 b and a singlemale coupling mechanism 26 a are coupled along the first side 12 andsecond side 14, it should be clearly understood that further substantialbenefit may be derived from a plurality of female coupling mechanisms 26b and a plurality of male coupling mechanisms 26 a that are coupledalong the first side 12 and the second side 14 so long as they aresufficient to hold the shape of the cylindrical tube 30 when coupledtogether and sufficient to prevent the leakage of any cleaning liquid.It is further preferable that the male coupling mechanism 26 a and thefemale coupling mechanism 26 b be VELCRO® hook and loop fasteners,however, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit maynevertheless be derived from alternative coupling mechanisms, such assnaps, hooks, buttons, zippers, etc., so long as the coupling mechanismsare removably coupled to one another and may be safely washed in awashing machine.

The liquid absorbent layer 24 is preferably smaller in size than theliquid resistant layer 16 and is coupled to a center portion 22 (shownin FIG. 6) of a bottom surface 20 (see FIG. 4 and 6) of the liquidresistant layer 16. It should be clearly understood, however, thatfurther substantial benefit may be derived from the liquid absorbentlayer 24 being the same size as the liquid resistant layer 16.

Where the liquid absorbent layer 24 is smaller in size than the liquidresistant layer 16, the female coupling mechanism 26 b is preferablycoupled to the bottom surface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 alongthe first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. It should be clearlyunderstood, however, that further substantial benefit may be derivedfrom the female coupling mechanism 26 b being coupled to both the bottomsurface 20 of the liquid resistant layer 16 and the liquid absorbentlayer 24 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device 10. Where theliquid absorbent layer 24 is the same size as the liquid resistant layer16, the female coupling mechanism 26 b is preferably coupled to theliquid absorbent layer 24 along the first side 12 of the cleaning device10.

It is preferred that the liquid absorbent layer 24 be smaller than theliquid resistant layer 16, because the liquid absorbent layer 24 wouldbe bordered by the liquid resistant layer 16, thus making leakage of thecleaning liquid less likely. It is also preferable because the femalecoupling mechanism 26 b will be coupled to the sturdier liquid resistantlayer 16, thereby causing less wear and tear to the cleaning device 10.

The male coupling mechanism 26 a (shown in FIG. 5) is preferably coupledto a top surface 18 of the liquid resistant layer 16 along the secondside 14 of the cleaning device 10. The male coupling mechanism 26 a isdimensioned to be removably coupled to the female coupling mechanism 26b. Preferably, the male coupling mechanism 26 a may be detached from thefemale coupling mechanism 26 b, so that the cleaning device 10 may belaid flat. It is preferred that the liquid absorbent layer 24 have alength and a width sufficient to clean a golf club head 42 when thecleaning device 10 is laid flat and the liquid absorbent layer 24 isexposed. It should be clearly understood that the cleaning device 10 maybe used to clean not only golf balls 40 and golf club heads 42, but golfcleats, golf tees, and any other golf equipment.

When a golfer 28 is on the green and wishes to pick up his/her golf ball40 to clean it, the golfer 28 may wish to mark the place of his/her golfball 40 before picking it up. It is therefore preferred that thecleaning device 10 have a golf ball marker 38 (see FIGS. 4 and 5)removably coupled thereto. While it is preferred to have such a golfball marker 38 removably coupled to the cleaning device 10, it should beclearly understood that substantial benefit may be derived from acleaning device 10 with more than one golf ball marker 38 or with nogolf ball marker 38.

It is also preferred that the cleaning device 10 define an aperture 36(see FIGS. 5 and 6). The aperture 36 would be dimensioned to receive acoupling device, such as a tie, rope, cord, string, etc., therethroughfor storage and/or transport with the golfer's 28 golf bag. While thepresence of such an aperture 36 is preferred, it should be clearlyunderstood that substantial benefit may be derived from a cleaningdevice 10 having more than one aperture 36 or having no aperture 36.

Statement of Operation

A golfer 28 may anticipate that some of his/her golf equipment, e.g.golf balls, golf tees, golf clubs, golf cleats, etc, may become soiledduring a game. Since the golf course cleaning stations are few and farbetween, the golfer 28 may wish to have the cleaning device 10 on handat all times during the game.

The golfer 28 may first wish to soak the liquid absorbent layer 24 withsome type of cleaning liquid such as soap and water. When the cleaningdevice 10 is not being used, the golfer 28 may fold the cleaning device10 (preferably with the liquid absorbent layer 24 being concealed) andplace the cleaning device 10 in his/her pocket 44. If the golfer's 28equipment, such as his/her golf club head 42 becomes soiled, the golfer28 may remove the cleaning device 10 from his/her pocket 44, lay it flat(exposing the liquid absorbent layer 24) and rub the liquid absorbentlayer 24 against the soiled golf club head 42 (or other golf equipment)to clean it. After cleaning the golf club head 42 (or other equipment),the golfer 28 may fold the cleaning device 10 again and replace it inhis/her pocket 44.

If the golfer 28 has made it to the green and wishes to clean his/hergolf ball 40 at that time, the golfer 28 may remove the golf ball marker38 from the cleaning device 10 and mark the place of the golf ball 40.The golfer 28 may then remove the cleaning device 10 from his/her pocket44 and couple the male coupling mechanism 26 a to the female couplingmechanism 26 b, thereby forming the cylindrical tube 30. The golfer 28may insert the soiled golf ball 40 into either the first end 32 or thesecond end 34 of the cylindrical tube 30 and then squeeze thecylindrical tube 30 at alternating points surrounding the golf ball 40.Doing so causes the golf ball 40 to travel back and forth along thelength of the liquid absorbent layer 24 within the cylindrical tube 30,thereby cleaning the golf ball 40. After some time, the golfer 28 maythen eject the golf ball 40 from either the first end 32 or the secondend 34 of the cylindrical tube 30, replace the golf ball 40 on thegreen, and reattach the golf ball marker 38 to the cleaning device 10.Once again, the golfer 28 may wish to fold the cleaning device 10 andplace the cleaning device 10 in his/her pocket 44. Such steps may berepeated as the golfer's 28 golf balls 40, golf club heads 42, and othergolf equipment become soiled.

Between games, the golfer 28 may wish to insert a securing device suchas a tie, rope, cord, string, etc., through the aperture 36 for storageand/or transport with the golfer's golf bag. The golfer 28 may also wishto wash the cleaning device 10 in a washing machine between games.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A portable cleaning device comprising: a substantially flat liquidresistant layer; a substantially flat liquid absorbent layer coupled toat least a portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer;and at least one coupling mechanism to removably couple a first side ofthe cleaning device to a second side of the cleaning device to form acylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly. 2.The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the coupling mechanism comprisesat least one hook fastener and at least one loop fastener.
 3. Thecleaning device of claim 2 wherein one of a hook fastener and a loopfastener is coupled to at least one of the bottom surface of the liquidresistant layer and the liquid absorbent layer and is coupled along thefirst side of the cleaning device and wherein the other of the hookfastener and the loop fastener is coupled to a top surface of the liquidresistant layer and is coupled along the second side of the cleaningdevice.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 2 wherein one of a plurality ofhook fasteners and a plurality of loop fasteners is coupled to at leastone of the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layer and the liquidabsorbent layer and is coupled along the first side of the cleaningdevice and wherein the other of the plurality of hook fasteners and theplurality of loop fasteners is coupled to a top surface of the liquidresistant layer and is coupled along the second side of the cleaningdevice.
 5. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein thecylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball.
 6. The portablecleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid resistant layer and theliquid absorbent layer are substantially flexible so that the cleaningdevice may be folded for at least one of storage and transport.
 7. Theportable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the liquid absorbent layeris coupled to a center portion of the bottom surface of the liquidresistant layer.
 8. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein theliquid absorbent layer has a length and a width sufficient to clean agolf club head when the cleaning device is laid flat and the liquidabsorbent layer is exposed.
 9. The portable cleaning device of claim 1wherein the liquid absorbent layer has a length and a width sufficientto envelop a golf ball when the cleaning device is formed into thecylindrical tube.
 10. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 whereinthe cleaning device defines an aperture dimensioned to receive acoupling device therethrough for at least one of storage and transport.11. The portable cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a golfball marker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device.
 12. Theportable cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning device iscapable of being safely washed in a washing machine.
 13. A portablecleaning device for golf equipment comprising: a substantially flatliquid resistant layer, the liquid resistant layer being substantiallyflexible to allow the cleaning device to be folded for at least one ofstorage and transport; a substantially flat liquid absorbent layercoupled to a center portion of a bottom surface of the liquid resistantlayer, the liquid absorbent layer being substantially flexible to allowthe cleaning device to be folded for at least one of storage andtransport; one of a male coupling mechanism and a female couplingmechanism coupled to the bottom surface of the liquid resistant layerand coupled along a first side of the cleaning device; the other of themale coupling mechanism and the female coupling mechanism coupled to atop surface of the liquid resistant layer and coupled along a secondside of the cleaning device, wherein the cleaning device forms acylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly whenthe male coupling mechanism is coupled to the female coupling mechanismand wherein the cylindrical tube is dimensioned to receive a golf ball;a golf ball marker that is removably coupled to the cleaning device; andan aperture defined by the cleaning device and dimensioned to receive acoupling device therethrough for at least one of storage and transport.14. The portable cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the liquidabsorbent layer has a length and a width sufficient to clean a golf clubhead when the cleaning device is laid flat with the liquid absorbentlayer exposed and sufficient to envelop a golf ball when the cleaningdevice is formed into the cylindrical tube.
 15. The portable cleaningdevice of claim 13 wherein the male coupling mechanism is at least onehook fastener and wherein the female coupling mechanism is at least oneloop fastener.
 16. A method of cleaning golf equipment comprising thesteps of: providing a portable cleaning device comprising: asubstantially flat liquid resistant layer; a substantially flat liquidabsorbent layer coupled to at least a portion of a bottom surface of theliquid resistant layer; and at least one coupling mechanism thatremovably couples a first side of the cleaning device to a second sideof the cleaning device to form a cylindrical tube; soaking the liquidabsorbent layer with cleaning liquid; coupling the first side of thecleaning device with the second side of the cleaning device to form thecylindrical tube with the liquid absorbent layer facing interiorly;inserting a golf ball into one of a first end and a second end of thecylindrical tube; squeezing the cylindrical tube at alternating pointssurrounding the golf ball so that the golf ball travels back and forthalong a length of the liquid absorbent layer; ejecting the golf ballfrom one of the first end and the second end of the cylindrical tube.17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: laying thecleaning device flat so that the liquid absorbent layer is exposed; andrubbing the liquid absorbent layer against at least one of a golf clubhead, a golf cleat, and a golf tee.